Certify Comics

What is Comic Book Certification?

Certification is a process that guarantees the authenticity and state of conservation of a comic expressed through a rating from 1 to 10. The basic certification procedure provided for trading cards is also adopted for comics. Once certified, the comic is sealed in a protective anti-tampering and anti-UV case with a label that reports all the information on its rating.

The rating is reliable thanks to the GRAAD hallmark: an objective and stable evaluation method possible through a parameterized analysis of the comic and the assignment of partial ratings following a precise specification.

Here are the specific parameters for the certification of comics

• front cover
• back cover
• binding
• pages
• coloring
• corners

Based on those parameters, the comic receives a final grade that is not the result of the subjective evaluation of an expert, but determined objectively through an algorithm that simulates the mentality of the professional collector. The final grade is therefore not an arithmetic average of the partials, but a grade that expresses the logic with which professional collectors evaluate the different conditions of the different comics based on many variables. 

The evaluation specification of the individual parameters of the comics has been specifically designed to represent the quality conditions of the comics. Therefore, those who already know GRAAD for the certification of trading cards, will discover that the comics are evaluated based on other partial parameters and the final grade is determined by a specific algorithm.

What do we certify?

For now we accept comics of various formats, starting from classic stapled comics (17x26) to manga (12.5×18).

Here is a list of accepted sizes:

Manga - 18 x 12.5 cm, thickness 1.2 cm 

Manga - 17.5 x 11.5 cm, thickness 1.5 cm

Manga - 18 x 13.1 cm, thickness 1.5 cm

Manga - 17 x 12.1 cm, thickness 1.1 cm

Manga - 21 x 15 cm, thickness 1.3 cm

Manga - 18 x 13 cm, thickness 1.8 cm

American Comic - 26.1 x 17.5 cm, thickness 0.4 cm

Why certify a comic?

In general, here are the reasons why it is worth certifying your most precious comics

• Keep the comic in a protective case protecting it from wear and tear and damage
• Selling the comic will be easier one day, certified comics sell easily
• Sell the comic for a higher price, especially if the grade is high. Certified comics with high grades sell for a higher value than the same copy of a non-certified comic.

How does it work?

1. Send your comic to our certification center independently, through one of our collaborators near you, organizing a collection with us or bring your comic directly to our office in Milan in via Leoncavallo 15.
2. We analyze it to determine authenticity and to assign a rating from 1 to 10 that expresses the state of conservation.
3. We apply the label (standard or Full Art label) with the assigned rating.
4. We return the comic to you sealed and certified.